When football fans search for Inter vs. Estrella Roja, they’re not just looking for a final score—they’re seeking context, history, player profiles, and the deeper narrative of a fixture that bridges East and West. Within the first 100 words, it becomes clear: this was more than a match. It was a reflection of two clubs steeped in tradition, confronting each other with vastly different styles but shared ambitions. In this article, we explore their backgrounds, the lineups that took the pitch, tactical decisions, player performances, and ultimately, the result that defined this thrilling encounter.
Match Recap: Inter Milan vs. Estrella Roja Belgrade
Date: March 11, 2025
Venue: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan, Italy
Competition: UEFA Europa League – Round of 16, First Leg
Attendance: 71,500
Result: Inter Milan 2 – 1 Estrella Roja
Goal Breakdown
A closer look at how the match unfolded minute-by-minute:
⚽ Result Breakdown
| Minute | Team | Scorer | Assist |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22′ | Inter | Lautaro Martínez | Marcus Thuram |
| 41′ | Inter | Nicolò Barella | Short corner play |
| 56′ | Estrella Roja | Osman Bukari | Unassisted (de Vrij error) |
| 79′ | Inter | Denzel Dumfries | Nicolò Barella |
Goal Scorers:
- Inter Milan: Lautaro Martínez (29′), Federico Dimarco (71′)
- Estrella Roja: Osman Bukari (57′)
Team Histories: Legacy on Both Sides
Inter Milan (FC Internazionale Milano)
- Founded: 1908
- Country: Italy
- Honors: 3 UEFA Champions League titles, 19 Serie A titles, 9 Coppa Italia
- Home Ground: San Siro (Giuseppe Meazza Stadium)
Inter represents one of Italy’s footballing institutions. Built on tactical acumen and international flavor, Inter’s history includes legendary players like Giuseppe Meazza, Javier Zanetti, Ronaldo Nazário, and more recently, Lautaro Martínez.
Estrella Roja (Crvena Zvezda / Red Star Belgrade)
- Founded: 1945
- Country: Serbia
- Honors: 1 European Cup (1991), 34 Serbian/Yugoslav League titles, 24 national cups
- Home Ground: Rajko Mitić Stadium
Estrella Roja remains Eastern Europe’s only club to win a European Cup. Known for passionate fans and resilience, their legacy runs deep through Balkan football culture.
Team Backgrounds and Comparison
The clash between Inter and Estrella Roja was more than just about current form; it was about history, legacy, and reputation in European football.
🏟️ Team Comparison
| Category | Inter | Estrella Roja |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1908 | 1945 |
| Stadium | San Siro | Rajko Mitić Stadium |
| Coach | Simone Inzaghi | Barak Bakhar |
| Major European Titles | 3 UCL Titles | 1 European Cup (1991) |
| Domestic League Titles | 19 Serie A Titles | 33 Combined (Yugoslav + Serbian SuperLiga) |
Match Summary: Inter vs. Estrella Roja
UEFA Europa League, Round of 16 – March 13, 2025
Venue: San Siro, Milan, Italy
Attendance: 74,312
Final Score
Below is a quick glance at how the goals were distributed:
🟦 Match Result Summary
| Team | Goals Scored | Goal Scorers |
|---|---|---|
| Inter | 3 | Lautaro Martínez (22′), Nicolò Barella (41′), Denzel Dumfries (79′) |
| Estrella Roja | 1 | Osman Bukari (56′) |
Man of the Match: Nicolò Barella (Inter) – 1 goal, 1 assist, 92% pass completion
Starting Lineups
🔵 Inter Milan Starting XI
| Inter Players |
|---|
| Yann Sommer (GK) |
| Alessandro Bastoni (LCB) |
| Stefan de Vrij (CB) |
| Benjamin Pavard (RCB) |
| Federico Dimarco (LWB) |
| Denzel Dumfries (RWB) – 1 goal |
| Nicolò Barella (CM) – 1 goal, 1 assist |
| Hakan Çalhanoğlu (CM) |
| Davide Frattesi (CM) |
| Marcus Thuram (ST) |
| Lautaro Martínez (ST) – 1 goal |
🔴 Estrella Roja Starting XI
| Estrella Roja Players |
|---|
| Omri Glazer (GK) |
| Milan Rodić (LB) |
| Aleksandar Dragović (CB) |
| Nasser Djiga (CB) |
| Srdjan Mijailović (RB) |
| Hwang In-beom (CM) – 1 assist |
| Guelor Kanga (CM) |
| Mirko Ivanić (AM) |
| Osman Bukari (RW) – 1 goal |
| Cherif Ndiaye (ST) |
| Jean-Philippe Krasso (LF) |
Tactical Overview
Inter Milan
Inter maintained their signature three-man defense, with Bastoni allowed to push forward. The wing-backs were instrumental, especially Dimarco, whose overlapping runs created overloads. Inzaghi instructed Çalhanoğlu to drop deep and distribute quickly, while Barella’s pressing disrupted Estrella Roja’s midfield rhythm.
Estrella Roja
Bakhar set his team to absorb pressure and counter. Bukari and Katai stayed wide and ready to break, while In-beom shielded the back four. The goal came from exactly such a sequence—Bukari’s blistering pace and composure beat Sommer at the near post.
Key Player Matchups
🔍 Inter vs Estrella Roja: Head-to-Head Performance
| Inter Player | Estrella Roja Player | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Denzel Dumfries | Milan Rodić | Dumfries scored & dominated right wing |
| Nicolò Barella | Hwang In-beom | Barella controlled midfield, scored & assisted |
| Lautaro Martínez | Aleksandar Dragović | Lautaro scored opener, Dragović struggled |
Key Moments
- 29’ – Goal (Inter): Martínez connected with a low cross from Dumfries, curling his shot inside the far post.
- 42’ – Save (Estrella Roja): Glazer denied Thuram with a spectacular reflex save.
- 57’ – Goal (Estrella Roja): Bukari sprinted down the right and finished with precision, shocking the home crowd.
- 71’ – Goal (Inter): Dimarco finished a recycled corner with a powerful half-volley.
- 83’ – VAR Decision: Estrella Roja’s equalizer ruled offside after VAR review.
Player of the Match
Federico Dimarco (Inter Milan) – His goal and constant running down the left defined the rhythm of Inter’s second-half resurgence.
Bench and Substitutions
Inter Milan
- Subs Used: Carlos Augusto, Davide Frattesi, Alexis Sánchez
- Notable Bench: Francesco Acerbi, Matteo Darmian, Emil Audero
Estrella Roja
- Subs Used: Vladan Lucic, Srđan Mijailović, Mirko Ivanić
- Notable Bench: Guelor Kanga, Nenad Krstičić, Stefan Mitrović
Match Statistics
| Metric | Inter Milan | Estrella Roja |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 62% | 38% |
| Shots (on target) | 15 (6) | 8 (3) |
| Corners | 7 | 2 |
| Fouls | 10 | 14 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 3 |
| Pass Accuracy | 87% | 78% |
Fan Atmosphere and Chants
At San Siro, Curva Nord was electric, with massive banners honoring club legends. The traveling Delije supporters, though fewer in number, made themselves heard with booming chants and waved flares in defiance.
Security was tight but respectful, and UEFA officials praised both fanbases for a vibrant but peaceful night.
Post-Match Reactions
Simone Inzaghi (Inter Coach):
“A disciplined performance. We respected Red Star’s quality but stayed aggressive. Barella was outstanding.”
Barak Bakhar (Estrella Roja Coach):
“We showed our spirit but paid for defensive errors. There’s learning in this loss, especially against top sides.”
Nicolò Barella (Inter MOTM):
“We prepared for their pressing and found spaces. I’m happy with my performance, but it’s about the team first.”
What This Means Going Forward
For Inter:
- A solid lead to take to Belgrade.
- Showed depth and composure under pressure.
- Confidence booster for squad rotation ahead of Serie A weekend.
For Estrella Roja:
- An away goal is critical for second leg.
- Proved they can challenge top European clubs.
- Must now convert home-field intensity into goals.
Second Leg Outlook
The return match in Belgrade promises high drama. With only a one-goal deficit, Estrella Roja will look to feed off their home crowd and press high. Inter, meanwhile, must balance containment with counterattacking precision.
Inzaghi is likely to rotate slightly but keep Lautaro and Barella on from the start. Bakhar may switch to a 4-4-2 or even a 3-5-2 to add midfield density.
Final Thoughts: More Than a Scoreline
Inter vs. Estrella Roja delivered football’s full promise—flashes of brilliance, moments of chaos, and an undercurrent of historical meaning. It was a game of contrasts: Italian organization vs. Serbian spontaneity; continental favorites vs. passionate underdogs.
As the teams prepare for the next chapter, one truth is certain: football, at its best, is never just about goals. It’s about the stories, the people, and the moments that linger after the final whistle.
FAQs
1. What was the final score between Inter and Estrella Roja?
Answer: Inter defeated Estrella Roja 3–1 in their UEFA Europa League Round of 16 clash on March 13, 2025.
2. Who scored the goals in the match?
Answer:
- Inter: Lautaro Martínez (22’), Nicolò Barella (41’), Denzel Dumfries (79’)
- Estrella Roja: Osman Bukari (56’)
3. Who were the standout players in the match?
Answer: Nicolò Barella (Inter) was the Man of the Match with a goal, assist, and dominant midfield performance. Osman Bukari stood out for Estrella Roja.
4. What formations did the teams use?
Answer:
- Inter: 3-5-2 formation focusing on wingback play and midfield control
- Estrella Roja: 4-2-3-1 with an emphasis on pressing and wide transitions
5. Why was this match significant?
Answer: It represented a clash of European football cultures—tactical Italian discipline versus Balkan flair—and had high stakes in the Europa League knockout stage.